Lazy journalist alert:
'Indeed, Sergeant hinted at the naked animosity on the set when he said on Strictly's BBC spin-off,
Just The Two Of Us, this week'
I think it would be naive to think there aren't tensions and rivalries backstage. At the end of the day, the celebs are under a lot of pressure, and the pros are used to being competitive (and in some cases have competed professional against one another), and any large workplace has its share of office politics.
I still think this is a pretty sleazy article. The whole thing is according to 'insiders' and 'sources'- very hard to prove or disprove. All the BBC can do to defend themselves is issue a statement, which will be seen as damage control whether or not it is true.
I haven't seen many indications that the pros believe they're the stars of the show (although personally for me they are in any case, but that's a minority view!), in fact this series they have been uncharacteristically in the background, even strong personalities like Brendan.
I don't see any indication of the judges having pushed for John to leave, although obviously we have no idea what was happening backstage. But even on Monday, Claudia asked the judges if they thought he should step down and they gave a firm 'no'. They didn't have to do that, they could have given a neutral answer if they wanted to.
'Cole, the show's highest profile dancer, is said to have remained unhappy and has been pushing for a pay rise to put him on terms with the four experts who each earn about £90,000.'
-I doubt anyone is so delusional as to think they are going to get a £67,000 pay rise

. I don't think the pay situation is fair, but the pros know the score.
''It might seem to the viewers like one big happy family, but behind the scenes you'd be amazed at all the backstabbing.' '
-I wouldn't be amazed at all. It would seem like a typical workplace! I think it's the BBC who want it portrayed like that, and rightly so as it's a family show.